Nanjing 3-Day City Walk Guide

Nanjing — "Capital of Six Dynasties." Lonely Planet calls Nanjing "one of the best-looking cities in China" with a rich and impressive historical heritage. The solemnity of Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, the reverence of Ming Xiaoling's Sacred Way, the lights of Qinhuai River, the national treasures of Nanjing Museum — three days here read like half of China's history.

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📅 Itinerary Overview

Day	Theme	Key Attractions
Day 1	Zhongshan Heritage	Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum → Music Stage → Ming Xiaoling → Meiling Palace → 1912 District
Day 2	Old City Vibes	Confucius Temple → Qinhuai River Cruise → Lao Men Dong → Nanjing Museum
Day 3	Lake & Wall Views	Xuanwu Lake → Ming City Wall → Librairie Avant-Garde → Shiziqiao Food Street

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🏛️ Day 1: Zhongshan Heritage

Morning: Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum

Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum — LP: "Nanjing's landmark attraction":

• 392 grand steps leading to Dr. Sun Yat-sen's final resting place
• Free (reservation required)
• Arrive before 8 AM to avoid crowds
• Metro Line 2 to Muxuyuan Station, 15-min walk

Morning: Music Stage

Music Stage:

• Open-air music square next to the mausoleum
• Hundreds of white doves — perfect for photos
• Admission: ¥10

Midday: Ming Xiaoling

Ming Xiaoling — LP: "Tomb of Hongwu Emperor, founder of the Ming dynasty":

• Sacred Way (Shixiang Road): "Nanjing's most beautiful 600 meters" — stunning in autumn
• UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Admission: ¥70 (combined with Meiling Palace: ¥100)

Afternoon: Meiling Palace

Meiling Palace:

• "The most beautiful necklace" — aerial view resembles a jade necklace
• Former residence of Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling
• Exquisite Republic-era interior decor